'All garbage!' Pete Hegseth rebuffs claims Trump withholding Ukraine aid is 'pro-Russia'

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called criticisms of President Donald Trump's pause on Ukraine aid "all garbage" despite admitting that the policy appeared to some to be "pro-Russia."

Hegseth was asked about the pause in military aid for Ukraine Thursday during a meeting with British Defense Secretary John Healey.

"We are watching, obviously, very closely the front line of troops," the American secretary explained. "But ultimately, we're interested in creating the conditions for peace."

"To the previous question from the Washington Post, the press is interested in narratives," he continued. "Our president is interested in peace. So we will get characterized one way or another, oh, your stance is pro-Russia... It's all garbage."

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Hegseth insisted Trump was following up on an election mandate "to bring peace."

"He is working with both sides in a way that only President Trump can," he remarked. "Only President Trump can to bring them to the table to end the killing."

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